Virissimo barboza ve souza



(No Model.)

No. 453,560. Patented June 2,1891.

UNTTE- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VIRISSIMO BARBOZA DE SOUZA, OF PERNAMBUC, BRAZIL.

VESSEL FOR SUBIVIARINE OR SURFACE NAVIGATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,560, dated .I une 2, 1891.

Application lcd January 29, 1891. Serial No. 379,540. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Vinrssnuo BARBOZA DE SOUZA, a citizen of the Republic of Brazil, and a resident of Pernambuco, Brazil, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVessels for Submarine or Surface Navigation, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vessels for surface 1o and submarine navigation, and the purpose thereof is to provide a novel construction especially adapted to torpedo and other boats used in naval warfare, whereby one or more injured or ruptured portions of the boat may be disconnected from the main or central portion and allowed to sink or float, according to the nature of the injury received, leaving the main portion in all its integrity and provided with means for maintaining; its equilibrium and movement.

It is my purpose, also, to provide a torpedo or other boat which shall be constructed in separable sections united in such manner as to offer the most effective resistance to the shock imposed by the use of the ram or steel prow, in ramming and sinking ships, and the strains produced by the waves when the boat. is in a Seaway.

It is my purpose, finally, to provide a vessel capable of submarine navigation and constructed in three separable sections to form a substantially cylindrical hull pointed or cone-shaped at both ends, the central section, which is of similar form,being provided with independent steering and propelling mechanism and being detachable from either one or both of the end sections and having itsconical extremities lying in cone-shaped recesses or chambers formed in the ends of the end sections, whereby a strong union of the parts is effected and the shock and strain to which the fabric is subjected distributed over a large surface.

The invention consists to these ends in the several novel features of construction and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and then more particularly pointed out and defined in the claims which follow this specification.

5o To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my said invention, I will now proceed to describe the same in detail,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vessel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

The reference-numeral l in said drawings indicates the central section of the boat,which is preferably cylindrical in form. It is built upon any ordinary or preferred plan and provided with armor, and at its ends the hull is conical, the point or apex of the cone being coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body portion, or substantially so. At the central portion of the body a tower 2 rises above the deck and is provided with lenticular glasses set in its wall to enable the commander to see in all directions. In the lowest part of the body I place one, two, or more tanks or reservoirs 3, so arranged as to preserveI the equilibrium, and provided with pipes 4, extending to the deck, and pipes 5, passing from said tanks through the sides or bottom of the vessel. Suitably arranged in this central section, also, is a pump whereby water or air may be forced into the tanks 3 for submerging or iioating the vessel. At or about the center of the body is arranged an air-tank 6, which receives the air expelled from the tanks 3 when they are filled with water, the purpose being to provide a store of air under pressure, which may be used at any depth of submersion to replace the water in the tanks when it is driven out in order to cause the vessel to rise to the surface. A stern-post 7 is also attached to this portion of the boat to support a rudder 8, which is operated by any suitable means. An independent engine is also provided, whereby a propeller 9 may be operated by compressed air, gas, ammonia, or other expansiblc medium. Motors and secondary batteries may also be carried in case the engine should break down from any cause.

The numeral 10 indicates the forward end section, constructed upon a similar plan and having a conical prow or stem 12 armed with a steel point and provided with a tank or rcscrvoir 13 for water and air, and with suitable mechanism for iilling said tank with either. Rising from the deck of this section is a small turret or tower 14, having suitable lenses 15, which may be used either by a lookout or for the purpose of concentrating light from a powerful electric lamp. (Not shown.) In the rearward end of this forward section is formed a recess of such form that it will receive the stem of the central section, which lits therein as closely as the size and construction of the parts will permit. This recess is formed by means of a strong bulk-head 16, which is water-tight and braced in every direction to enable it to sustain the strain imposed by the constant action of the waves and the shock produced by ramming an enemyis vessel upon the stem or prow of the central section l. When the parts are connected, the outer'surfac'es of the two sections are substantially flush or of equal diameter, and they are united or fastened by means of any devices suitable for the purpose.

The reference-numeral 17 denotes the rear section, which is the counterpart in all material respects of the section 10, being of the same or substantially same length, diameter, and shape, and being connected to the central section in the same manner. The features in which it differs from the forward section 10 are the following: VIt is provided with a rudder 18, mounted upon a stern-post, and with a propeller 19, actuated by any preferred form of engine using air under compression, gas, ammonia, or other expansible medium. Electricity stored in secondary batteries may be substituted for such a type of engine,if preferred. Glass bulls-eyes 2O are provided at suitable points in all the sections. A removable railing 21 may be attached to the upper deck and upon the central turret, if necessary, to enable the crew to use the deck when the vessel is upon the surface.

Should either end section become shattered, either by ramming an enemys ship or by the shock of explosion, or become injured in any manner, so that it is either useless for offensive purposes, or dangerous by reason of leakage, one or both may be detached from the central section and allowed to sink,leaving the central section complete and fully equipped. In order to accommodate the rudder and propeller under the stern of this section, the rear section 1'7 is formed with a chamber 22, sufficiently large to receive both.

The armament of the vessel is that usually provided in torpedo-boats; but in addition thereto guns of suitable caliber may be mountmore separable sect-ions provided with independent means of propulsion, whereby one or more of said sections may be detached when injured, leaving a complete fully-equipped vessel, substantially as described.

2. A vessel adapted for surface and subma-A rine navigation, having a hull formed of a double-ended central section and two end sections separably connected thereto, the central section and the rear end section being provided with independent means of propulsion and guidance, substantially as described.

3. A vessel adapted for surface and submarine navigation, having a hull consisting of a substantially cylindrical central section having conical or conoidal ends, and two end sections having recesses inclosed by bulkheads and having a form adapted to receive the ends of the central section to which the end sections are separably united, the central section and the rear section being each provided with a rudder and propeller actuated by independent means, substantiallyas described.

4. A vessel adapted for surface or submarine navigation, and having a substantially cylindrical hull pointed at both ends and composed of a central section having point-ed ends and a front and rear section separably connected thereto,` each havingapointed end and a recess adapted to receive one of the pointed ends of the central section, the latter being provided with a rudder and propeller lying in a chamber or recess, forming part of the recess receiving the stern of the central section, a rudder and propeller for the rear end section, and independent means for operating the same, each section being also provided with tanks for air and water and with independent mechanism for filling and emptying said tanks, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses,rthis 27th day of November, 1890.

vnussiwio BARBOZA DE soUzA.

Witnesses:

J ULEs GERAUD, WILLIAM GRUNIsDIToH.

IOO 

